04/09/13: Cowboys chat with SportsDay beat writer David Moore

David Moore joins us at 2 p.m. Tuesday, but ask your questions now and he will have them when he arrives. Thanks for your readership!

by SportsDayDFW4/9/2013 12:09:56 AM

Well, only 16 days remain until the draft gets underway. Will the Cowboyws get the player of your dreams? Will they get someone in the first round who can step in right away and start. They'd better. They should. Let's get started.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:06:09 PM

what are the chances Eric Winston or Clabo signs with the cowboys

by cowboys_fan4/9/2013 7:06:17 PM

I would say minimal at this point, although the lack of movement in the free agent market _ and the fact that drives the price down _ makes this more of a possibility than it was earlier.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:06:56 PM

Sorry that cut off..I'll continue. The Cowboys would prefer to address their offenisve line issues though the draft. It will be cheaper and infuse the roster with some needed youth. But if the club determines not to move forward with Doug Free, it's not out of the question they would sign Winston or Clabo if the price is right. That being said, the club has not entered into negotiations and has no plans to puruse either tackle at this point.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:08:56 PM

Dave,In this year draft the spot to watch is NO.13[ Tampa Bay OR Jets]if the cowboys want to move up to get a player they really want.NO.13 is worth[1230points]. To trade, the cowboys would have to give up NO.18[1040points]PLUS 3 RD PICK NO.[80 190 points] the total would be 1230=1230 even trade.I think if Lane Johnson is there the cowboys might make a move up.What do you think???

by cowboys hat 19784/9/2013 7:09:12 PM

I think the Cowboys should stay where they are and pick. The team gave up a second round pick in last year's draft to move up to take Morris Claiborne. I like Claiborne, but an argument can be made the team traded two potential starters for one by making the move. This team needs more starters, not less. If I was running the team _ something I don't think Jerry Jones has any intention of letting me try _ I would think about acquiring another late first or second round pick rather than moving up.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:11:27 PM

Hi David. This is not a Cowboy question but a football one. Do the retired player bringing the suit against the NFL have a legit position? No one goes straight to the NFL, so why does the burden fall on them? Money?

by Clew4/9/2013 7:11:48 PM

The answer that gets me off the hook is to say that the courts will decide. This is a complex case. But ask yourself this: if the NFL didn't believe these players have a valid case, would you see the league scramble to make all the changes it has made recently with an emphasis on player safety? It's true no one goes straight to the NFL. Is money part of the reason for the NFL being the target? Sure. But when you are the industry leader, as the NFL is, this is the position you assume.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:14:01 PM

Curious, Why don't teams draft teammates that have had successful careers and already work well together? Like Warwick & Jones from ALB, the Colts took Luck then his Stanford TE.

by gary4/9/2013 7:15:02 PM

There are times you see this happen and it does make a certain level of sense. But remember, schemes and the obligations the players have in that scheme vary. Just because Warmack and Jones worked next to each other at Alabama means they would necessarily interact and have the same responsibilities if they were on the same NFL team.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:16:30 PM

will the cowboys target needs or draft the best available athletes in the

by David rich4/9/2013 7:16:35 PM

Owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett have said they believe they have covered themselves enough at key spots where they can enter this draft and focus strictly on the best available athlete over need. That may be true, but so is this: if the Cowboys have a guard, a quarterback and an inside linebacker all rated on the same plateau when they are on the clock at No. 18, their need for an offensive lineman will break the tie and persuade them to select the guard with that pick. I would argue clubs also delude themselves at bit on this best player available scale. If a player at a position a team doesn't need is rated even slightly ahead of a player at a position of need. I bet most club can argue why it makes sense to go with the lesser player. Of course, the more you do this the more your roster suffers over time.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:20:46 PM

Why haven't the Cowboys made any move on the free agent offensive linemen that are available?

by Bruce B.4/9/2013 7:20:53 PM

The Cowboys have spent lavishly on free agent offensive linemen in the past, which in part has put them in this cap bind. Under Garrett, this team would prefer to build a young offensive line through the draft which also has the benefit of being more cost effective under the cap.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:22:13 PM

I like the chances we (Cowboys) have of getting Chance Warmack - OG from Alabama. More so than that I also like the possibility of getting Barrett Jones - C from Alabama in the second or third round. Don't you think this would be a wise move to get two players that have spent the amount of time in the trenches that these two have playing on the Cowboys Oline, do you feel other teams may take advantage of that or do you think the front office will draft with that in mind?

by dallascowboysforeverfan4/9/2013 7:22:45 PM

The Cowboys would have no problem with this scenario. But let me throw a wrench into the proceedings: I'm not sure Warmack slips to No. 18 and it's also unlikely that Jones is available when the Cowboys pick at No. 47 in the second round. The club would have to move up to take both. Given the other premium talent on the board, it doesn't make sense to fixate on these two players and give up the draft picks required to take both.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:24:59 PM

It's been eleven days since Romo signed his contract, and still there's no word about extending and restructuring Spencer, the purported next priority after Romo. From what you're hearing at Valley Ranch, will this become a done deal or a dead deal, and might we hear before or after the draft?

by PennyPincher4/9/2013 7:25:16 PM

Spencer now has a one-year, $10.63 million contract. The Cowboys would like to sign him to a multi-year deal and lower that cap number. But if they can't get the price they want _ a price Jones has said publicly is lower than Spencer wants _ the club is willing to carry Spencer on the cap this year at that figure.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:26:31 PM

After WR Anthony Armstrong was re-signed, the Cowboys reportedly had slightly less than $5 million in salary cap space. Is that really enough to sign the draft picks AND the usual flock of undrafted rookie free agents? If not, who is next likely to be cut or restructured to create the space?

by PennyPincher4/9/2013 7:26:48 PM

It's enough when you consider this: the Cowboys will free up another $2 million after June 1 and will get about $3.5 million for their draft pool. Still, this isn't much to work with another nip here or tuck there isn't out of the question, especially if the club wants to sign another proven veteran free agent or two.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:28:55 PM

Why aren't the Cowboys pursuing FA OL like Winston and Clabo? Seems like Clabo would be a perfect upgrade for them. Is is just a money issue?

by KBec4/9/2013 7:29:13 PM

Money is a big reason. But again, don't dismiss a philosophical shift here. Garrett prefers to build a young line through the draft rather than consistently reach into the free agent market to plug in players who have been cut by other teams.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:30:26 PM

I think it's very important that the Cowboys sign a couple of "siginificant" free agents before the draft...Laurent Robinson and Eric Winston. That way they have more flexibility during the draft. Your thoughts?

by Catmantoo4/9/2013 7:30:57 PM

I understand what you're saying, but let's turn that around for a second. Let's say the Cowboys sign Winston, then find guards Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper are gone before they pick in the first round. The best player on the board is tackle D.J. Fluker, but the Cowboys have already filled a tackle spot with Winston, which persuades them to turn to another position. I believe the Cowboys are sitting in the sweet spot of offensive line talent at No. 18 if this draft unfolds the way many do. That's why I don't believe it's crucial to sign Winston before the draft. As for Robinson, his health issues make him a candidate to look at after the draft.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:34:47 PM

How bad would it be if the Cowboys did not draft a defensive lineman in the first 4 rounds? Do they have enough on the current roster?

by Jacquez4/9/2013 7:35:00 PM

It appears to me the Cowboys must come out of this draft with a defensive lineman in the first four rounds. An argument can be made the team should fortify this area in the first round if the offensive lineman they want is gone.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:35:50 PM

How can the boys find some luck? Is it possible that this is what they need more than anything else? It could not hurt. How do we get just a little luck? Are you a rabbits foot guy? Rallycap? What do we need to do to get in the good graces of the football gods? I think maybe Romo had it correct a couple of years ago when he invoked the term snakebit.

by Red Headed Step Child4/9/2013 7:36:48 PM

Luck is always part of the equation. But if you make it the primary part, you are doomed to be disappointed more times than not. Preparation, discipline and solid decision making are much more important over the long haul.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:38:00 PM

What position do you think the Cowboys will address after the draft?

by Fred smith4/9/2013 7:38:28 PM

A lot of that has to do with filling out your training camp roster and getting the numbers required at certain positions to make it through the grind of two-a-days. But in general, I would expect wide receiver, tight end, running back, safety and defensive front seven to be a focus after the draft.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:40:09 PM

Do you see Garrett attempting to up the competition level for positions at training camp? I feel he will change his approach, just cant pinpoint how yet. Lol

by Clew4/9/2013 7:40:28 PM

Well, as you know, it's a process. I think he just wants to stack one good day on top of another in training camp. As for myself, I will probably stack one good fish taco on top of another.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:41:19 PM

Why are we still holding on to Doug B. Free, all the other teams already have let their RT go, Winston, Smith and now Calbo? Free is not a guard so stop hoping

by Wolverine4/9/2013 7:41:33 PM

There is no financial benefit to cutting Free now. You don't see any relief on the cap until June. And while Free is overpriced compared to his production, remember this: he is also the backup left tackle if anything happens to Tyron Smith. He does have value.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:43:08 PM

I think a guard/center would be awesome in 2nd round like barett jones..cant rely on Mackenzy Bernadeau/Costa..would you agree?

by cowboys_fan4/9/2013 7:43:19 PM

Given how the chips fall in the first round, it's not out of the question that the Cowboys wind up with a defensive lineman or safety and try to address their offensive line needs in the second. Not sure Barrett Jones will still be on the board at No. 47. But I could see Wisconsin center Travis Frederick or Syracuse tackle Justin Pugh being there.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:45:22 PM

Are players currently limited by the new CBA from working out at Valley Ranch? It seems like Troy and Playmaker would already be working on routes at this time. I wonder why Romo doesnt seem to be proactive in doing this.

by Clew4/9/2013 7:48:07 PM

Romo is proactive and does work with his receivers before organized team activities begin. Most quarterbacks in the league do.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:48:35 PM

who do you see as overrated in this years darft hopefulls

by rob4/9/2013 7:48:54 PM

I would argue there are more overrated writers and draft experts than there are draft hopefuls.

by David Moore4/9/2013 7:49:17 PM

On that snarky note, it's time for today's chat to come to an end. Thanks for taking the time and we'll do it again soon.